Branson 4020R 50 hr service

[Hombre]

Just finished up the 50hr fluid changes on my Branson. Actually have 66hrs on it but did get the engine oil and filter change at 53hrs. along with the fuel filter. Due to all the snow and bad weather I finally got to the hydraulic system at 60hrs. Man, nine plus gallons of hyd fluid in 35 degree weather is a bit of a pain. Had to use two big containers to drain it, then used a rotary hand pump to re-fill, still took a looooong time. 80/90 oil was even slooooower in the front diff. even if it's only a couple gallons I let it drain overnight and refilled it this morning when the temp got above freezing. Who thought up these little fill plugs on this thing anyway especially the hyd fluid fill with that 90 degree elbow. :confused2: Interesting process to say the least. If the nearest dealer wasn't over 100 miles away I think I'd let them do it next time. Anyway, it's done, I'm a happy camper now :thumbsup: Ready for the next 50....well, actually 34 for the engine ..:drool:

 

[Branson Bob]

Welcome aboard Hombre.

What year is your Branson?

 

[Hombre]

Welcome aboard Hombre.

What year is your Branson?

Bought it late last summer. It's a 2016 model. The tractor I traded in on it was one of those "junk" Chinese Taskmaster Trojan 32 hp jobs with a backhoe. Had it eleven years and right at 1000 hrs. and the only issue I ever had with it was a broken clutch spring. Three dollar fix from NAPA. It was a utilitarion piece of equipment for sure and for operation was on a par with an old Ford 8N I had at one time (but it a least had power steering) but it was a tough little sucker and had good power. I abused the heck out of it. This new Branson (or any of the "better" comparable tractor models for that matter) are just in a whole new ball park. I've ran a lot of these class tractors, Kubota's, and bigger JD's, Case and New Holland. Looked at the new Mahindra's, nice tractor, and I pretty much liked them all. Almost pulled the string on a new 47hp Yanmar, but couldn't make the deal. When I stopped by the Branson dealer (that same day) after running one for a while and looking at the spec's, I knew I'd found what I wanted. It all just came together.

 

[Branson Bob]

Yeah I bought mine last summer too. So far so good... however I didn't think you had to change the hydraulic oil until 100 hours... am I wrong on this?

 

[ericm979]

Trans filter and fluid change is part of the first 50 hour service. After that it's a much longer interval.

The manual's spec for transmission fluid is fairly specific. The 20/25 manual I found on line says Texaco TDH 1893 or Chevron THF 1000. I found a Napa store that will order the Chevron by the Napa part number (Hydraulic Fluid 5 Gallon CHV TH1 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts) but will charge for shipping. The 25 manual only lists the Texaco and I haven't been able to find it yet. I may end up using the Chevron as that's what my dealer says they use.

 

[Branson Bob]

Trans filter and fluid change is part of the first 50 hour service. After that it's a much longer interval.

The manual's spec for transmission fluid is fairly specific. The 20/25 manual I found on line says Texaco TDH 1893 or Chevron THF 1000. I found a Napa store that will order the Chevron by the Napa part number (Hydraulic Fluid 5 Gallon CHV TH1 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts) but will charge for shipping. The 25 manual only lists the Texaco and I haven't been able to find it yet. I may end up using the Chevron as that's what my dealer says they use.

Thanks for the good info Eric. I'll look at my manual this weekend and let you know what I find.

 

[Hombre]

Thanks for the good info Eric. I'll look at my manual this weekend and let you know what I find.

Unless I missed it somewhere, all my manual says is "a good quality tractor hydraulic fluid"....

 

[ericm979]

It could. I've looked at three different Branson manuals and the tractor fluid spec is different in each one. But all three listed only specific brands, and the only one that was common across all three is the Texaco 1893. I suspect that any good "regular" THF like Kubota UDT would be ok. My dealer said not to use Super UDT so I think the low viscosity THFs are out. Mine doesn't whine on the factory fill so I don't feel the need to improve it.

On a new tractor under warranty I'd want to stick closer to what's in the manual. After that, good quality regular THF.

 

[Branson Bob]

So here's this:

 

[ericm979]

I was going to use Chevron THF1000 as the local NAPA stores said they could get it (I checked before I bought the tractor). It's not in my manual but I'd seen it in others. Last week when I got around to ordering it, it's no longer available. I ended up ordering Mobilfluid 424 off Amazon. It's specs are nearly identical to the THF1000 and it's listed as a replacement in a number of cross-reference charts.